Agriculture and Fishing: Global Production Systems and Economic Factors
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Agriculture and Fishing: Global Production Systems
Global Distribution of Primary Sector Employment
The primary sector involves the extraction and production of raw materials, such as farming, fishing, and mining.
- Fact Check: In developed countries, 50% of the active population work in the primary sector.
- False: This figure is characteristic of developing countries. In developed countries, the percentage is typically around 6%.
Agricultural Systems: Definitions and Characteristics
Traditional vs. Commercial Farming
Traditional agriculture is a type of subsistence agriculture, typically practiced on small plots of land. It is characterized by:
- Use of polyculture (growing several crops simultaneously), not monoculture.
- Strong dependence on physical factors (climate, relief, soil).
- Final destination of production is primarily farm family consumption.
Commercial agriculture predominates in developed countries. Its main goal is to obtain the maximum profit. Characteristics include:
- Specialization (often monoculture).
- High levels of mechanization.
- Use of modern farming methods.
Plantation Agriculture
Plantations are large farms that practice commercial agriculture. They are usually located in developing tropical regions (not northern countries).
Key Agricultural Factors
The two main kinds of factors that affect farming are physical and human factors.
Physical Factors
The three main physical factors influencing agriculture are:
- Climate: Temperature and rainfall.
- Relief: Altitude and gradient of terrain.
- Soil: Thickness and nutrient content.
Human Factors
Human factors that influence agriculture include:
- Population density and demand.
- Farming techniques and technology.
- Final destination of production.
- Globalization and market access.
- Agricultural policies.
- Environmental policies.
Productivity Differences
In developed countries, the primary sector is characterized by high productivity due to technology and mechanization. In developing countries, the use of traditional farming methods leads to low productivity.
Economic Policies Affecting Farming
- Production Quota: An upper limit to the quantity of a good that may be produced in a specified period.
- Aim of Quotas: To limit production to control the supply of goods in order to maintain a certain price level.
- Subsidies: Economic aid given to farmers. Rich countries provide subsidies, allowing their farmers to reduce prices and remain competitive.
Livestock Farming Methods
The two main types of livestock farming are extensive and intensive.
| Characteristic | Extensive Farming | Intensive Farming |
|---|---|---|
| Farm Size | Large farms | Smaller, confined spaces |
| Investment & Productivity | Little investment, low productivity | High investment, high productivity |
| Market Destination | Practiced in both countries | For sale at markets (commercial) |
| Typical Animals | Cattle, sheep | Pigs, poultry (aves) |
| Geographic Focus | Practiced in both countries | Mostly practiced in the Eastern US, Canada, and Western Europe |
Fishing Practices and Regulations
Inshore vs. Offshore Fishing
- Inshore Fishing: Practiced near the coast.
- Offshore Fishing: Practiced far from the coast, often using modern instruments to detect schools of fish.
Marine Regulations
- What is the EEZ?
- The Economic Exclusive Zone. Coastal states have exclusive legal rights to marine resources up to 370 km (200 nautical miles) from their coasts. Governments must make fishing agreements to fish in another country's EEZ.
Aquaculture
Aquaculture is the practice of breeding fish in controlled environments. The main form involves breeding fish in fish farms.